If you intend to continue using your ATV throughout the winter, you might consider purchasing a set of snow tracks to use during periods of wintery weather. These tracks are designed to provide outstanding traction and performance even in the most inclement weather conditions.

Today we’re going to investigate some of the main features and benefits of ATV snow tracks so you can determine whether the investment makes sense for your own ATV usage habits. Here’s an overview of what you should know.

The features of ATV tracks

The rubber tracks themselves will usually have a very aggressive tread pattern to ensure excellent grip, even in the most slippery conditions. The tracks should be sufficiently long and wide to provide good flotation on snow and ice.

Track size should be appropriately matched with the power output from the ATV; an ATV without sufficient power for the chosen track kit will have a hard time reaching higher speeds and would experience more train.

The track features a frame that holds everything together. It needs to be strong enough to stand up to the ongoing wear and tear associated with usage and must be open so it can easily shed snow, mud, ice and other debris from the inside of the track. The front of the track is angled upwards to ensure the track will float better on soft surfaces.

The advantages of using ATV tracks

Here are just a few of the main reasons why ATV enthusiasts install tracks on their vehicle for the winter:

• Traction: Tracks provide much more traction than all-terrain tires because they are flat and have a larger footprint, which helps them better redistribute their weight.
• Hill navigation: Tracks make it easier for riders to climb and descend hills with greater control (and thus greater safety).
• Rocky terrain: Loose, rocky terrain becomes easier to navigate when doing so with tracks on your ATV.
• Higher lift: Tracks increase the ATV’s ground clearance because they lift the vehicle up higher. This is important for the winter because snow and ice can pile up high. It also allows you to more easily pass through tougher terrain without having to worry about obstacles or hazards scraping against the bottom of the vehicle.
• Stability: The greater stability provided by tracks provides greater protection against rollover accidents due to the greater surface area being used.

The drawbacks of using ATV tracks

It is important to weigh several of the drawbacks of using ATV tracks when considering whether you will install them for snowy weather. The main drawbacks include:

• Reduced speed: The extent to which your speed will be reduced depends on the power output of your quad, but in general you can expect to lose at least some speed, and perhaps up to half of your top speed.
• Fuel consumption: You will lose some fuel efficiency with tracks on your ATV. This is because tracks feature a lot of small wheels that reduce the speed from the engine, which results in more gas being used to travel the same distance.
• Decreased handling: Handling with tracks on the ATV can become a little unwieldy. What you gain in traction and stability you have to sacrifice in ease of making crisp turns.
• Expense: ATV tracks do represent an additional investment in your quad. You should make sure you’re going to get enough use out of them to justify the additional expense.

The bottom line

Ultimately if you have money you are willing to spend on ATV tracks and believe you will get ample use out of them, they can be a very worthwhile investment. The extra safety while out on your ride in wintery conditions can give you some great peace of mind.

Whatever your decision, we hope you are ready for some great winter rides coming up in a hurry!